VOLUNTEERS AND SHOOTING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 19

VOLUNTEERS AND SHOOTING.

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT-

A NATIVE ASSOCIATION COEPS TO BE FORMED.

Contrary weather considerably dampened | the ardour of a great many who had intended putting 1 in an appearance at Thomas' Hall on Monday for the purpose of forming a Native Association Infantry Corps. There was, however, a large attendance. Mr H. D. Bell ocouoied the chair. The Hon K. J. Seddon, who was received with applause, said that, as for fighting, the stock from which the young New Zealanders had sprung was sufficient guarantee that-they would take to it as a duck took to water. It was quite evident, however, that they would not face the rain. (Laughter.) The question was, ''Were they devoid of patriotism?" Well they had had glorious examples in this connection, and he gave them the latest. Mr Seddon then alluded to the great enthusiasm manifested by the Permanent Artillery when ordered to Auckland the other day. Prom nearly all parts of the colony lately there had been applications for recognition from proposed rifle corps, which was satisfactory in the extreme. The purpose for which the members of the Natives' Association had assembled that evening had his hearty support, and he hoped a strong corps would be formed. Circumstances warranted immediate steps being taken for strengthening our internal defence, and the Government had decided to increase the strength of the Volunteers by about 2000, making a total of about 7000. Allusion was made by the Premier to the anxiety and unrest in the colonies when it was thought England would be drawn into war over the Chinese trouble recently, and the relief experienced when it blew over and the Spanish-American war took its place. There was, however, talk about annexation of various islands by the Powers, and as Samoa was included in the category, New Zealand would be very much concerned. It would mean clanger to them if any foreign Power got a footing or made Samoa or any of thej islands a baee from which to work. Mr Seddon said that the squadron must be strengthened ; that was generally recognised by the Imperial authorities. Ho personally did not desire to throw cold water on any scheme for strengthening their laud forces, but his common-sense told him that for secure defence, and to be propared in case of an emergency, the Australasian Squadron must be added to, and in contributing towards that end New Zealand would be spending money wisely and well. Concerning fortifications, the speakers-aid that there was no doubt that nearly every nation in the world had knowledge of their forts, and, regarding Wellington, they might know our weak spots, but we knew where our strength lay. There was no nation, however, that could send sufficient men to effect a permanent landing and remain here. J hey had not much to fear on' that score unless sufficient men were sent from long distances to secure that end. Our landed forces were strong, but necessity existed for the formation of corps at all the large centres of sufficient strength to work in unison with those who commanded the forts. With re gard to the formation and working of our Volunteer forces the Government desired to render every fair and legitimate assistance consistent with moderate expenditure. They wanted the people as a whole to support the movement. The employers had in the past looked with something akin to disfavour, and had placed obstacles in the way of those belonging to Volunteer corps. If the young men were prepared to make sacrifices, the employers, who were more nearly concerned, should make sacrifices also for the good of their country. In Auckland they were now recognising this, and were requesting their employees to join corps. How could the movement be helped in other directions ? Well, there were shooting competitions. Government was doing what it could to assist these gatherings. He was sorry they were not having a team sent to Bißley this year. He favoured intercolonial competitions and ths despatch of teams to the Old Country to compete for the big prizes. Another matter was that they should arm the corps with up-to-date weapons. That, was a very necessary thing to do. He might mention in this connection that Government was ordering; 5000 '303// single-loading rifles and about 1000 carbines from Englan i. The Imperial authorities desired to have the whole of the forcea armed with the same weapon and the same ammunition, and they were assisting the dependencies by giving them the arm at a fair price. Another way in which the Volunteer movement could be assisted was by means of the formation of school cadet corps. These should be enI couraged to the fullest extent. He was i pleased to find the matter was receiving the fullest attention, and if the education boards did their duty in this lespect the Government would do ',heirs. (Applause ) Mr •cldon enlaced on rJrs fiibj ■<:t. r'C-V''t ; n-,» - out the great good that would iujatuo throughout Hew Zealand, not only to the lads themselves, but to volunteering generally. Then the organisation of rifle clubs would be a very desirable thing. These would be composed of wn who had done ibm* volunteering, and who coald do good j work hy keeping up their exercises and j going in for shouting competitions. Tho I Government, bo thought, should assist these. I After a number of further remarks, Mr Seddon resumed his seat, amid loud applause. Colonel Pole Penton, Commandant of the Forces, during the oourse of some pointed remarks, alluded to the method of defence at the chief ports, and said it was for the purpose of guarding the back doors of the colony that they wanted infantry corps to keep an enemy in check. The Volunteer movement in Wellington he characterised as being very backward. Jt was a disgrace to the ci + y that it was in such a state as it was now. He hoped the members of the Association would join and help to efface that disgrace. His policy was to have certain forces ready in each of the four p.irts in the colony, and recruited from tbe towns adjacent ; to form a battalion in the town and another in tho conn try. When he first came here there were only four corps in the Auckland district. No\? he had eight companies forming, and one battalion for the town and another for the country. In thß Wellington district he had a battalion in the country. What he wanted in the city was a torpedo corps, an engineer corps, a bicycle corps, a medical staff corps and three additional corps of infantry. He hoped that the Natives' Association would be successful in forming its corps. One was organised in Auckland by the Association there a while baok, and now three other corps from the same Association had been formed. Albo,

companies from leading establishments in J Auckland were being established, and he j hoped that Wellington employers would take , the hint and induce their men to organise corps. (Applause.) Dr Newman, in a brief speech, proposed a resolution to the effect that; the members of the Natives' Association form an infantrycorps, other native-born New Zealanders to be mvited to join and apply for membership cards at the office of the secretary. This was seconded by Mr Moore, and was supported by the Hon James Carroll, who made a patriotic speech, during the course of which ho made some observations concerning New Zealand and New Zealanders in his characteristic style. Major Loveday also spoke, _ and on the resolution being put it was carried amid applause. Votes of thanks were accorded the Eight Honourable Mr Seddon, Colonel Pole Penton and Mr F, D. Bell for their attendance and assistance. Sir E-obert Stout sent an apology for his absence. During the evening the Garrison Band gave two selections under Mr Herd, and the proceedings closed with the National Anthem.

A number of those present signed as members of the corps ; others may do so at Mr Logan's office.

PETONE RIFLE CLUB.

The Petone Rifle Club held a field day on Saturday to wind up the shooting season. The weather was excellent, and some good scores:were registered. The A Class shot from the left shoulder at 200yds in lieu of giving pointi3 to the B Class. This disadvantage, however, did not seem to have much effect. Mr G. Smithies got a second leg-in for Mr Bunny's trophy, and won it outright. The club entertained its friends and visitors at a dinner at the Empire Hotel in the evening. The toast of " The Visitors " was proposed by Captain Baliinger, and responded to by Messrs McFarland and Smithies. Mr Trethevick proposed the health of " The President" (Mr Kirk), who responded. During the evening songs were given by Messrs Parsons, Mills.-, Edinger, Trethevick and Ballingor, and a recitation by Mr Fanning. Mr Parsons presided at the piano. The following are the scores made during the day, the conditions of the 200yds beiDg standing and kneeling:

The Colonial Ammunition Company has received an order from the New Zealand Government for 400,000 rounds of Snider ball cartridges.

200 300 500 yds. yds. yds. Tl. Smithies ... 29 27 33 91 Edlin ... 32 27 31 90 W. H. Ballinger ... 30 28 31 89 Trevethick ... 29 30 28 87 Wilson ... 29 28 28 83 Kirk_ ... 26 27 28 81 Burridge ... 27 2 6 2 7 80 McNaughton ... ... 30 2 2 2 7 79 Dick ... 31 2 4 2 3 78 Edinger ... 28 2 2 2 7 77 Broadway ... 31 20 23 74 Dixon ... ... 28 21 21 73 Auckland, May 9.